Drinkers want a hot beverage, but not tea or chocolate. Brand, quality, and even taste doesn’t matter much, as long as it’s cheap (i.e. inexpensive) and tastes like coffee.

Lovers must have their coffee. Their day doesn’t begin until they’ve had their cup of brew. They savor the aroma, the taste, the pleasure, even the grinding of beans. Coffee lovers are happy to spend a little more on a preferred brand of quality. Coffee is an experience, not just a beverage.

Connoisseurs bring art and science to the coffee experience. Knowledgeable and experienced, connoisseurs can identify the quality of coffee and recognize the nuances of its taste. From grinding the beans to boiling the water—actually, the water should be heated between 92-96º C not boiled—to brewing method, connoisseurs are exacting. Coffee is the elixir of heaven—magical, divine.

Well, it seems like the search for the holy grail of coffee stills goes on.

Various efforts are made to find the added ingedient to create the exceptional coffee experience. From radical selection (Kopi Luwak and Black Ivory coffee) to blending beans from different regions, to unique preparation (Aeropress or Chemex), the choices are endless. After careful scrutiny, the Coffee Review found 508 coffees and espressos that earned an outstanding score.

Mushroom-Coffee: A Healthy Blend?

One interesting blend of mushrooms and coffee claims to have created a tasty and healthy coffee. The claim is arguable, but final judgement is really a matter of personal preference and acquired taste.

Organo™ Gold adds organic ganoderma lucidum, either finely ground or as spores, to its coffee. The result, it claims, is “a healthy alternative to regular coffee that not only tastes great, but makes people feel great.”

Medicinal uses of lingzhi are recorded in Chinese texts as far back as 2000 years. The various meanings of the Chinese name—divine, spiritual, miraculous, effective, plant of longevity—shows the respect for this “auspicious mushroom.”

Our western mindset views Chinese medicine with suspicion. Scientific studies are proving the wisdom of these oriental herbal masters, however. Each of the benefits of ganoderma listed below is confirmed by research.

7 Benefits of Ganoderma

a natural source of bio-chemicals (antioxidants and phytonutrients) which provide rejuvenating energy and health benefits without interfering with our body system

calms the nerves and is highly effective in dealing with “environmental stress”

lowers blood pressure and blood cholesterol

strengthens immune cells and improves the immune system without side-effects

as an anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, ganoderma significantly inhibits all four types of allergic reactions and is effective in treating asthma, bronchitis, stiff neck and shoulders

Organo™ Gold Coffee

By infusing “gourmet coffee” with organic ganoderma lucidum, Organo™ Gold has “scientifically developed a healthy alternative to regular coffee that not only tastes great, but makes people feel great.”

Some of my “coffee drinker” friends won’t even try a cup of Organo™ Gold coffee. They are not enticed by the supposed healthy benefits (even if scientific research backs the claims). Besides, a cup of coffee at Tim Hortons or a can of ground coffee from the grocery store is a lot cheaper.

My “coffee lovers” are intrigued by the benefits of ganoderma—most are in need of support to their health. But, “I don’t drink instant coffee.”

As I said before, whether you are a coffee drinker, a coffee lover or a coffee connoisseur, the coffee experience is really a matter of personal preference and aquired taste.

Personally, I’m somewhere between coffee lover and coffee connoisseur. Coffee is not just a convenient beverage, it is a pleasureable experience. I enjoy grinding the beans, smelling the aroma wafting through the cool morning air, savoring the robust taste of a perfect roast, and I can taste the difference in quality. (Some of the best coffee I’ve tasted is the home roasted beans from my farmer-friends in the hills of Jamaica.)

Research assures me that the cup of java I enjoy has benefit for my health. Now there is a coffee that adds the benefits of ganoderma. I’m interested. I want to live a full, healthy life.

Get the Best of Both

I drink an invigorating cup of brew in the morning to awaken my mind, my senses and my body to the pleasant side of life. As I start to feel a little sluggish about mid-afternoon, I resort to a tasty cup of OG Black. The unique blend really does rejuvenate my energy flow,and it doesn’t interfere with my sleep.

My wife, Miriam, loves coffee, but gets an allergic reaction with just one sip. She discovered that her body has no negative reaftion to Organo™ Gold. She mixes it into her smoothies or just has an energizing cup of OG Black in the afternoon.

A friend of ours, also a coffee lover who cannot drink coffee without severe negative effects, enjoys OG Black with no adverse effects. In fact, she credits Organo™ Gold for relief from her excruciating migraines.

So, I say, “Give it a try.”

Unfortunately, you can’t download a sample of Organo™ Gold. But if you will copy and paste one of the following options into a return email along with your mailing address, I will send you a FREE sample sachet of either OG Black or OG Latte by snail mail. (It will take about 10-15 days to find you.)

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Caffeine affects perception, emotion, mental activity, mood and behavior. There is no question about that. The issue is— is it healthy or harmful?

Caffeine, in the form of coffee, tea and cola soft drinks, is one of the most traded commodities in the world. Coffee is outranked only by oil in value of exports by developing countries. More than 75 million people depend on coffee for all or most of their livelihood.

That’s interesting, but why are coffee and other caffeine beverages so popular? Are the reputed benefits back by science or is it just marketing hype?

Actually, researchers have conducted numerous studies and come up with some interesting results.

caffeine increases alertness and improves performance of various tasks including those that require sustained response and focus

caffeine releases norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter and hormone that stimulates emotional and cognitive centers of the brain and produces a sense of well-being

low levels of norepinephrine can result in depression, low energy, memory problems and loss of interest in everyday activities

high levels of norepinephrine can result in anxiety, restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, jumpiness and increased heartbeat

dopamine, another neurotransmitter released by caffeine, produces as sense of pleasure and helps improve working memory, focus and attention

low levels of dopamine can contribute to ADD (attention deficit disorder), social anxiety, withdrawal and apathy

caffeine improves physical endurance and affects the perception of fatigue—i.e. you may be exhausted but after a cup of coffee (or tea) you feel you can keep on going

caffeine affects mood by helping you to calm down, relax and feel rejuvenated

tea produces similar positive effects despite lower caffeine levels but is less likely to disrupt sleep

caffeine does not produce dehydration as is thought

even though this may be true, we recommend drinking 6-8 cups of water daily—the health benefits of this habit are substantial

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Rituals. We think we can do without them but quite the opposite is true. Athletes create rituals to prepare physically and mentally for top performance. The right morning rituals set us on track for a great day, empowered to handle pressure and stress.

Why are rituals important?

We are creatures of habit. What renders our best endeavor ineffective is poor habits or lack of habits all together.

Steven Covey observed, “There are three constants in life; change, choice and principles.” His clarion call is for all who desire true success and meaning in life, “We must be principle-centered in all areas of life.” This is theme of his best-known book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. (*)

Habits require discipline, a quality that runs contrary to human nature. Habits are cultivated with grit—diligent resolve and sustained effort. Rituals can be effective in creating habits.

A ritual is “a series of action or type of behavior followed regularly and invariably.” Although rituals are usually thought of as religious ceremony, the idea aptly describes the kind of application required to set us on track for consistently great days.

7 Morning Rituals That Set Us on Track for a Great Day

Morning rituals are similar to pre-race warm ups. Their purpose is to ready our body, soul and spirit for a great day—at work and at home.

1. a glass of lime water

2. prayer and meditation

Prayer is my personal conversation with my Father. Some mornings I have a topic in mind selected from a ‘menu’ of print-outs—personalized Psalms and Scriptures that express my thoughts and feelings. Other mornings I intuitively sensea topic that Father has selected for consideration.

Meditation is mindful reflection. Moments of silence while praying allow my mind to be infused with the Father’s thoughts contained in the Psalm or Scripture selected. Attentive listening allows His ‘still, small voice’ to instruct me.

This ritual is an expression of personal relationship not religious duty. It’s objective is to nurture a sense of connection with the Creator of the Universe. Thus empowered, I am ready for a great day.

3. physical exercise

For a working person, time is a premium, especially at the start of a day. The objective of physical exercise as a morning ritual is to awaken the muscles and blood flow. It is not intended to be a workout in the gym!

4. breakfast with the family

This may well be the hardest to execute of our morning rituals. To get everyone together in a happy frame of mind around the breakfast table is no easy feat. In fact, for some it is a miracle. Nevertheless, today more than ever we need to war for the unity and well-being of our family.

5. high-energy nutrition

Food is the fuel in our tank. Some foods, like whole foods and fruit, are high-octane energy fuel that prime us for a great day. Others, like refined carbohydrates, processed foods and added sugars, are energy-sucking sludge-producing fuels to be avoided. Choosing good food, especially at the start of our day is a vital ritual. Dr. Georgia Ede’s well-balanced approach to health and nutrition issues provides helpful guidelines.

6. coffee or tea

Caffeine is a controversial issue with ‘research’ cited for and against. Moderation and common sense are the key. My morning preference is tea, but I can enjoy a good brew of coffee, too.

Organo Gold is a new coffee that my family has come to enjoy because of the added boost called ganoderma. It’s like adding ‘STP’ to the gasoline in your car. A cup of Organo Gold coffee is especially good at mid-afternoon when you need a pick-me-up.

7. one for the road

Commuting to work can be ‘dead time’ or it can be a final ‘warm up’ ahead of a great day. One of my life coaching clients uses the one-hour drive to work for her private conversation with the Father.